Viola E. Konkel, 96, formerly of Galloway, died peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Rennes Health and Rehab, Weston.
Viola was born on July 28, 1929, in Shawano County, the daughter of Clarence and Claricy (Geurin) Wendler.
On Nov. 26, 1949, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, George “Larry” Konkel, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Wausau. They shared 66 wonderful years of marriage before Larry’s passing on March 6, 2016.
Together, Viola and Larry raised seven children, Kathryn, David, Susan, Alice, Pamela, William and Ralph. Viola was a devoted wife, loving mother and proud grandmother.
She had a deep love for the Lord and was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Galloway. You could always find her giving of her time for many of the church functions.
Viola was a wonderful baker and enjoyed gardening and flowers. Viola liked playing bingo with her Rennes family and played card games like crazy eights and solitaire, as well as Triominos and working on word searches. She also found joy in listening to polka music and watching her favorite polka shows. Viola cherished time spent with her family and friends.
Viola is survived by six children, David (Sherri) Konkel, of Galloway, Susan (Paul) Buss, of Eland, Alice (Duane) Burclaw, of Rosholt, Pamela (David) Backes, of Birnamwood, William (Sue) Konkel and Ralph Konkel, both of Galloway; 15 grandchildren, Kendall (Abby) Mason, Michelle (Brad) Davis, Jeffrey Konkel, Rebecca (Scott) Backes, Sarah (Tim) Sheldon, Brandon (Amber) Buss, Annie (Eric) McCleery, Joey (Stephanie) Burclaw, Angie (Ryan) Mead, Steve (April) Burclaw, Nick Burclaw, Ryan (Annie) Backes, Amanda Ladecki, Tracey (Brad) Jozwiak and Ashley (Bob) Weisenberger; 26 great-grandchildren, Kelsie, Dylan, Jadyn, Piper, Elaina, Jamie, Oliver, Flynn, Roman, Sadie, Kaydence, Levi, Laylah, Daniel, Reagan, Rynslee, Damion, Chase, Abigail, Esther, Hannah, Brady, Leah, Gracelyn, Aaliyah and Tony; siblings, Lucille Bricco, Evelyn Verkuilen, Merry (Roger) Voigt and Roger Wendler; siblings-in-law, Mike (Georgia) Swenson and Lenore Sprangers, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Kathy; siblings and in-laws, Ardell (Norman) Uttecht, Deanna (Ray) Elmer, Sally Swenson, Clarence (Pat) Wendler, Darell Verkuilen, Bob Bricco and Mary Jane Wendler; and many other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Galloway. The Rev. Augustine Bentil will preside. Burial of both Viola and her daughter, Kathy will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, from 4-7 p.m. at Schmidt and Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, with the rosary being recited at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 8-9:45 a.m. at the church.
Memories and messages of support may be shared at www.schmidtschulta.com.
The family would like to thank those who took care Viola while she was at home and the caregivers at Aspirus Hospice and Rennes Health and Rehab for their kind and compassionate care.